Chapter 10: Shadows of the Past and Fashion Crimes
Clara sat on the train, her heart racing as the landscape of Jeju disappeared behind her. She was heading back to Seoul, back to Min-ho, and back to the double life she had created. As Ariadne, she had promised him the script; as Ji-soo, she had to help him bring it to life.
She stared at the laptop screen, rereading the bizarre email she had sent him during her wine-induced haze on Jeju. "I am so dead," she whispered to herself. "How could I send such nonsense? He's a genius—he'll put two and two together. Fuck, fuck, fuck."
Suddenly, her phone lit up. Lukas.
"Lukas, my savior! You have no idea what a mess I've made," she cried into the phone.
"Mmm, let me guess," Lukas's smooth voice purred. "Did you go to Jeju, drink too much of that blackberry wine—the one I told you costs two minutes of fun but two months on the hips—and send a scandalous email to Min-ho that almost outed you as Ariadne?"
Clara winced, covering her eyes with her hand. "Maybe… yes?"
"Don't worry, darling. You have me, and I am a genius. I told Min-ho that Ariadne is a 'Method Writer'—someone who gets so lost in her characters that she even writes emails in their voice. He swallowed it whole. But you know this will cost you, right?"
"Anything, Luki! You saved my life."
"Good. The next Fashion Week in Paris is going to be very expensive for you, sweetie. Now, get to the set. Mr. Kim told me the castings start today. I'll be there with my sugar-sweet Kimi soon. Toodles!"
Clara felt a wave of relief. Maybe Min-ho isn't as smart as I thought, she mused with a small smile.
The set was a whirlwind of chaos. Camera crews adjusted lenses, lighting techs shouted orders, and half the staff was either hovering around the snack table or napping in corners.
Clara's eyes immediately found Min-ho. He was watching her with those dark, intense eyes of his. He didn't look angry, but there was a calculating depth to his gaze that made her breath hitch.
"Ji-soo, I'm glad you're back. How was Paris?" he asked as he approached. "Your boss sent a very… interesting email. A bit strange, but I've been told she's a professional who lives through her characters, right?"
Clara forced a grin and nodded vigorously. "Exactly! She's very… immersive."
"Well, let's start the casting. Take a seat. Send in the first one!"
The first few actors were decent, but not perfect. Then, the doors swung open. A stunning, polished woman entered the room as if she owned the building. She actually started barking orders at the cameramen before even saying hello.
She walked straight toward Min-ho. "Min-ho, darling! It's been too long, hasn't it?" She slid off her sunglasses and flashed a sugar-sweet smile.
"Seo-yoon. Yes, but not long enough," Min-ho replied, his face a mask of indifference. "What brings you here?"
"Oh, you're still the same as ever. I want to speak with you alone." She glanced at Clara with disdain. "This must be the new little assistant. I didn't think 'Grey Mouse' was your type, darling. Hopefully, she's not as incompetent as that stiff Mr. Kim. Go on, girl, get me a Latte—and don't let it be too hot, I can't stand that."
Clara sat there, stunned for a second, before her inner Ariadne took over. She stood up, muttering curses in French and German under her breath. "You arrogant brat! Maybe I'll put salt in your coffee, you cow!" Min-ho hid a smile. He heard her anger and secretly hoped a little bit of it was jealousy.
"Listen, Min-ho. I want the lead role in your film," Seo-yoon said, cutting to the chase once Clara was at the coffee station.
"If you're interested, have your manager contact us. You know how this works."
"My management and I had some… bad luck recently. I came to you directly because I can play anything you need. And don't forget, Min-ho… you owe me."
Min-ho threw his head back and laughed. "I owe you? Have you forgotten how it ended? I caught you with my rival in my own office!"
While they argued, Clara whispered to a makeup artist, "Who is that woman?"
"That's Seo-yoon. She's famous, but no one wants to work with her because she's a nightmare. She's also Min-ho's ex from five years ago. He's the reason she's even a star."
Clara's heart sank. Seo-yoon was beautiful, stylish, and had a history with him. Everything Clara felt she wasn't.
Suddenly, the door hit the wall with a loud BAM.
A transformed Mr. Kim stepped in. Confident, elegant, and handsome enough to make every woman in the room stop breathing. Three women immediately rushed toward him, asking if he needed anything or if he wanted to "grab a drink" later.
Behind him came Lukas, wearing a purple satin suit that screamed 'Icon.' He hooked his arm into Mr. Kim's. "Ladies, this dessert is too heavy for you. Hands off my strawberry soufflé!"
Min-ho was too distracted by Seo-yoon to notice the commotion. "I don't decide the casting alone," he told her firmly. "I'll discuss it with Ji-soo. She is Ariadne's representative. Now leave, I have work to do."
Insulted, Seo-yoon stomped off. She sat down near Lukas at the bistro cart. "That insignificant little assistant decides the lead? She looks bored and talentless. She hasn't even brought my Latte yet…"
Lukas interrupted her with a loud, theatrical "HELL-OOOO?!"
He looked her up and down. "She might not look like much in her jeans and sneakers to someone like you, but that 'assistant' is—second only to me, by the way—one of the most brilliant and talented women on this green earth. And she happens to be my best friend. So, before you badmouth her, check your mirror. Those red Manolos are so last season, and that turquoise bag is an insult to my eyes. And between us? With those legs, I'd avoid skin-tight leggings. Because one thing is as certain as the C in Chanel: cellulite is cellulite."
He snapped his fingers, turned on his heel, and marched toward Clara to brag about his triumph.
Seo-yoon was livid. She saw people whispering and laughing at her. She needed this role. She grabbed Min-ho's arm and pulled him into the side room.
"Min-ho, I know things were bad when we broke up, but remember Thailand? You were going to propose…"
"That was before I realized you were a calculating woman who only cares about herself," Min-ho snapped.
Seo-yoon's eyes turned cold, but then she spotted Clara's head peeking through the doorway. Instantly, her face softened. She wrapped her arms around Min-ho's neck. "Oh darling, let's just remember the time we loved each other," she whispered.
She pressed herself against him and kissed him deeply.
Clara froze. The shock hit her like a physical blow. She turned and ran as fast as she could.
She didn't see Min-ho shove Seo-yoon away. "Stop it! I'm done with you. My heart already belongs to another woman, and I think she knows it."
Seo-yoon smirked. "You mean the little grey assistant? Well, I don't think that's going to work out. She just saw us… and she didn't look very happy."
Min-ho sprinted after Clara, but she was already gone.